Manchester City found guilty on all Premier League financial rule charges as Soriano says club will appeal
Updated · 2026-09-30 10:10 · 6 sources cited
Verdict
The Premier League has confirmed that Manchester City have been found guilty of all related charges for breaching Premier League financial rules between 2009-10 and 2017-18. [1] An independent commission found all charges related to serious breaches of Premier League financial rules proven against Manchester City. [2]
Key findings
The independent panel found that Manchester City artificially inflated revenue and reduced costs by more than £900m over a nine-year period through 'sham' sponsorship deals, mainly funded by Abu Dhabi United Group Investment & Development Ltd (ADUG), which owned the club at the time. [3][5] There were 115 charges against Manchester City, and the judgment took more than two years to reach. [4]
Club response
Manchester City CEO Ferran Soriano said the guilty verdicts were based on a 'single false accusation' and a 'Premier League conspiracy theory', and insisted the club is innocent. He said the club would appeal the verdict on more than 100 charges and continue to fight. [3] Manchester City say they are innocent. [5]
What next
Sky Sports is analysing what could happen next in the inquiry. [2] BBC Sport editor Dan Roan explains what the ruling means for the club and the league. [6]
Sources
- [1] Man City guilty of 'sham' contracts and £830m 'disguised funding scheme' · 2026-09-30 02:12 · www.bbc.co.uk
- [2] Man City guilty - what happens now and who decides? · 2026-09-30 01:00 · www.skysports.com
- [3] Manchester City CEO Soriano says guilty verdicts are ‘a Premier League conspirac · 2026-09-30 02:39 · www.theguardian.com
- [4] The four 'what next?' scenarios for Premier League after Man City ruling · 2026-09-30 01:37 · www.bbc.co.uk
- [5] Manchester City’s ‘sham’ seasons: how they fared and who was in charge · 2026-09-30 02:02 · www.theguardian.com
- [6] What have Man City been found guilty of doing? · 2026-09-30 02:09 · www.bbc.co.uk